House votes to put 'under God' in Texas pledge

JIM VERTUNO, Associated Press |
May 4, 2007

AUSTIN — The Texas House voted early today to inject a little religion into the Texas pledge.

House lawmakers voted 124-5 to put the words "under God" in the Texas pledge of allegiance recited by thousands of school children every day. The change mirrors the national pledge, which has included "under God" since 1954.

Under the bill, the Texas pledge would be: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God and indivisible."

The bill still needs a final vote later Friday before it is sent to the Senate.

Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, argued against the measure as having the potential to infringe on the religious beliefs of some Texas students.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, rejected that argument and said adding the words was simply "common sense."

"I am simply mirroring our national pledge," Riddle said.

The House bill analysis took a decidedly religious tone:

"Since the time of the founding of the United States through modern times, the presence and influence of God has been intrinsically associated with the political and social culture of the United States ... (the bill) will acknowledge our Judeo-Christian heritage by placing the words 'under God' in the state pledge," the analysis reads.

In 2003, the Legislature required public school students to say the U.S. and Texas pledges and observe a minute of silence each day.

A student may be excused from saying the pledges if a parent or guardian makes a written request.